Rich Pacquiao ‘allows’ rich junior to box

“A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.”

—Frank A. Clark

By Alex P. Vidal

IF I were Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, I would not allow any of my children to join boxing.

Boxing is normally the chosen sport of poor boys who risk their lives and limbs in the ring to escape from dire straits.

The Pacquiaos aren’t poor. The children don’t need to risk being hurt in this violent contact sport to eat three square meals a day.

Unless their father didn’t make it big as a prizefighter, or failed to earn enough for his retirement and wants his children to pick up the cudgels and continue his legacy both for fame and money, there is no sense for any parent to “compel” the kids to follow his footsteps as a boxer especially when there are opportunities for the kids to excel in other fields of endeavor.

But we learned that Pacquiao, who is running for Philippine president in the May 9 election, is actually against the decision of his 21-year-old son, Emmanuel Jr. to box.

“It pains me to see him box because I know how hard it is,” Pacquiao was quoted by Mirror, a UK-based publication.

This came after Emmanuel Jr. recently won his amateur debut representing  Wild Card Boxing Club in San Diego, California.

-o0o-

Even if it’s the son’s decision to become a boxer, the father Pacquiao—and also the mother—still have the authority and power to prevent it if they’re against it; the wealthy parents have the final say what’s best for their children, who grew up with a silver spoon, other than watching while they participate in a dangerous and cruel undertaking.   

But since Emmanuel Jr. has already logged his first win, it’s now a case of water under the bridge; the decision to let him box and probably pursue and duplicate the father’s stardom, if necessary, has been permitted by the family.

The list of Filipinos who seriously became boxers primarily to escape poverty is long. Some of those who captured world titles did not amass a wealth like Pacquiao, who was already 42 when he decided to quit, but they never allowed their children to choose boxing as a permanent livelihood. 

-o0o-

I WAS among the millions of people worldwide who watched and listened “live” on TV to the powerful speech of US President Joe Biden in Warsaw, Poland March 26 where he emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” after launching his brutal invasion of Ukraine—a closing, off-the-cuff message issued in the final moments of Mr. Biden’s tour of Europe that the White House swiftly walked back.

It was the first time I heard the President speak like a true leader of the free world, which, I think, was very necessary in this crucial moment when the Russian invaders haven’t yet captured the Kyiv.

It was also Mr. Biden’s impromptu call for an end to Mr. Putin’s reign—a month after he launched a deadly and destructive war with neighboring Ukraine; it was his first time broaching the subject. 

Top administration officials, including Mr. Biden’s secretary of state, have stressed that they were not advocating a change in Russian leadership for weeks.

The line sent ripples throughout the U.S. foreign policy community, before the White House quickly clarified that Mr. Biden was not calling for regime change in his speech, contending that the president’s point was that Mr. Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbors or the region. 

“He was not discussing Putin’s power in Russia, or regime change,” an official said in a statement.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

Talk between Biden and Duterte

“We believe that transparency is needed to create trust, and it's also needed to create a dialogue.”

—Julie Sweet

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF ever President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and President Rodrigo R. Duterte will talk over the phone for the first time since Mr. Biden became the 46^th President of the United States, Mr. Biden may not immediately tackle the issue about alleged human rights violations in the Philippines.

The two leaders will certainly discuss primarily their commitments for a traditional “mutual support” as ties between the U.S., a super power, and the Philippines have been reportedly tested since Mr. Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016 and embarked on months of expletive-laden tirades against the U.S.

He had also threatened repeatedly to scrap their bilateral military agreements even when President Barack Obama was still in office.

Mr. Biden would be very careful not to appear like interfering in the domestic affairs of the Philippines as Mr. Biden is probably aware the Duterte administration continued to belie accusations it violated the human rights of its citizens in the Philippine government’s “all-out” war against illegal drugs.   

Even top Philippine officials have assured that the “Philippines will maintain close and friendly relations with the United States under Biden” amid a period of strain in their decades-old alliance.

 

-o0o-

 

US News had earlier reported that Duterte “sought warmer ties with China and Russia, and took particular aim at former counterpart Barack Obama, to whom Biden was vice president. He once said he would not visit the United States, calling it a ‘lousy’ country.”

Duterte, who had asked Filipinos in the U.S. to vote for former President Donald Trump, had spoken positively about Mr. Trump but reportedly remained critical of American foreign policy.

Philippine political analysts reportedly expect the Biden administration to be “more vocal than its predecessor about human rights issues in the Philippines, including Duterte's signature war on drugs, during which thousands of people have been killed.”

Fears that Mr. Biden will open up the issues and concerns on human rights violations with  Mr. Duterte was fueled by reports that in Mr. Biden’s first phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin since being sworn into office two weeks ago— a conversation that comes amid heightened U.S.-Russia tensions and after Putin initially refused to recognize Biden's election win, Mr. Biden “called Mr. Putin’s attention” on the reported Russian involvement in the recent massive cyber attacks on the U.S. government.

It was reported that the agenda for the Biden-Putin conversation was “long, running from areas of cooperation, such as nuclear arms control, to areas of contention, such as Russia's military aggression toward Ukraine.”

Then candidate Biden promised to take a tougher line with Mr. Putin than ex-President Donald Trump did, during the campaign.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Putin reportedly discussed their shared goal of renewing an expiring U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control agreement, during the phone call, as reported by White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki during a briefing on January 26. 

 

-o0o-

 

That major arms control pact reportedly expires on Feb. 5, so it’s an urgent matter. 

“They also agreed to explore strategic stability discussions on a range of arms control and emerging security issues,” the White House said in its read-out of the conversation.

The rest of the call reportedly focused on U.S.-Russia flashpoints, according to the White House, starting with Russia's ongoing aggression toward Ukraine, a pivotal U.S. ally.

Mr. Putin was among the last major world leaders to acknowledge Mr. Biden's victory in the Nov. 3 election, waiting until Dec. 15 – after the Electoral College certified the results – to wish the new president success and to welcome engagement.

There’s no schedule phone conversation yet between Mr. Biden and Mr. Duterte as of this writing.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

 

Incredible conspiracy theories make some people nuts

“Incompetence is a better explanation than conspiracy in most human activity.”

—Peter Bergen

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

I HAVE warned some friends in the Philippines to ignore and not to share the videos being circulated mostly through the social media’s private message by merchants of conspiracy theory.

Most decent and educated people in America aren’t anymore deceived by these fallacious videos, and they are aware these videos only add fuel to the conflagration and propagate innuendos, outright lies and disinformation meant to confuse and subjugate the minds of the people.  

For instance, a friend from Lambunao, Iloilo recently shared via private message a conspiracy theory-inspired video he received from friends in the social media, which repeated and enabled the lies and a very familiar canard that circulated before and after the November 3, 2020 U.S. presidential election: the election (will be) was rigged and “several prominent oligarchs from all over the world” conspired to cheat former U.S. President Donald Trump.  

The video alleged that the “massive cheating” was “traced” from Rome, Italy and that several prominent world leaders, including Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth of U.K., “conspired” to deny Mr. Trump a second term.

I know a Filipino woman and a Latino man in Queens who swallowed hook, line, and sinker all the absurd conspiracy theories authored and spearheaded by the weird QAnon group and tried to convince me to believe their myopic views to no avail.

Even after President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has already been sworn in as president, the couple continued to badger relatives and friends in the Philippines and Mexico that “(President) Joe Biden will soon be arrested for being an impostor and Mr. Trump will soon return in the White House to serve his second term.” 

A conspiracy theory can actually be defined as the belief that a secret, but influential organization or individual is responsible for a circumstance or event. 

 

-o0o-

 

People often think that these beliefs are rare or sometimes absurd, but research shows they may be more common than we thought. 

A study has been found that about 50 percent of Americans believe in at least one conspiracy theory. 

“Conspiracy theories come in all forms, but most theories involve political and social events. Some examples include the belief that certain celebrities are immortal vampires, and controversial topics such as the belief that a small group of people are planning to overthrow the government,” explained the Addiction Center.

“Often, one theory will have accompanying and sometimes contradictory conspiracy theories which can be dangerous if not challenged. On the other hand, it can be noted that some conspiracy theories have been proven to be true. With the increased popularity of conspiracies and exposure to information, it is possible to harm your mental health and relationships by developing a conspiracy theory addiction.”

The study indicates that “conspiracy theory addiction is a behavioral addiction that can have a hidden impact on the way you perceive events and has been linked to having more negative attitudes.”

Rather than helping one cope with their negative feelings, the belief in conspiracy theories can reportedly create “a cycle of distrust and disempowerment.” 

As a person encounters different sources, it is important to be able to analyze the information and distinguish between false theories and real threats.

 

-o0o-

 

Meanwhile, Addiction Center explained that people who strongly believe in conspiracy theories and become addicted may experience some of the following:

-Feeling anxious or fearful for no particular reason.

-Feeling a loss of control.

-A need to make sense of complex topics or unrelated events, even with little or no topical knowledge.

-Low self-esteem.

-Strong urge to make connections between a series of unrelated events or behaviors.

-Belief in paranormal explanations for scientific phenomenon.

A sense of not belonging or isolation.

A great alienation, disengagement, or disaffection from society

If the presence of the previous feelings and behaviors significantly impact a person’s ability to function in their daily lives, they may have a conspiracy theory addiction.

Why Do People Believe in Conspiracy Theories? Addiction Center explained that conspiracy theories occur when people create links between one or more unrelated events, emerging from the need for the human brain to find “patterns”. 

New research also shows that people with certain personality traits such as low self-esteem are more likely to have a conspiracy theory addiction. Researchers have studied the different reasons why people believe in conspiracy theories and many of the explanations include the following factors:

-A need for understanding and consistency.

-A need for control.

-A need to belong or feel special.

-Need for Understanding

When a person experiences distress over uncertainty or witnesses a large-scale event, the mind will reportedly start to look for explanations that connect the dots. 

Those with lower analytical abilities and less tolerance for uncertainty are more likely to believe a conspiracy theory. 

“This is because conspiracy theories can often provide explanations for events that seem confusing or frightening and believers can assume that they are being intentionally deceived. People are also naturally inclined to search for information that confirms their existing beliefs, this is known as a confirmation bias,” explained the Addiction Center.

The ability to easily share and spread information over the internet has increased belief in certain conspiracy theories. 

Someone with a conspiracy theory addiction may reportedly “seek out information to support something they already think is true, rather than seek out new information or challenge their beliefs.” 

A need for understanding and consistency can reportedly lead to addictive behaviors such as spending excessive time on the internet and ignoring relationships and responsibilities.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

 

Respect for the role of the press

“The effect of the mass media is not to elicit belief but to maintain the apparatus of addiction.”

—Christopher Lasch

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

I DIDN’T stop monitoring the entire inauguration program of the incoming administration in the United States in Washington D.C. since early morning January 20 until President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was already in the White House past 12 noon.

Seven hours after the genesis of the Biden administration, White House press secretary, Jennifer Psakis, gave a detailed briefing on how the new administration will deal with the press and why it is important that they should work together as partners in nation building.

I thought this was the highlight of the day, the first full- blown and blow by blow episode involving a White House top official other than Mr. Biden and the members of the Fourth Estate.

PSAKIS

I thought this was very significant as it would set the tune of what lies ahead for the critical press, which underwent a roller coaster ride and tremendous bullying during the combative Trump administration.

It was actually more vexatious to observe how the previous administration treated the press, which was constantly harangued as “enemy of the people” by no less than former President Donald Trump.

There was no doubt the relationship between the press and Mr. Trump was an unconventional one. 

The enmity and war he waged on the entire media establishment and constant accusations of “fake news” gave entirely new meaning to the term “watchdog journalism.”

“Whether you share in Trump’s resentment, or think his claims are utter nonsense, what the media’s role in society is supposed to be is a topic questioned by Americans—especially in comparison to what it actually is,” observed Hanna Flanagan of The Standard.

For sophomore anthropology major Jesse Walker-McGraw, the watchdog role of the press is an essential one. 

She said the media’s job is to hold people in the public eye accountable, especially political figures. Walker-McGraw also said the press has an obligation to force “some degree of transparency” on government organizations.

“On a more fundamental level,” added Flanagan, “sophomore nursing major Paige Broghammer said the role of the press is to communicate and inform. She also said news outlets need to convey the tone of the events they are reporting. The overall emotion of the stakeholders in something newsworthy should be communicated in the coverage of it.”

 

-o0o-

 

Flipping through a prepared reading material and arriving wearing two masks, the 42-year-old secretary we used to watch on CNN as regular commentator, quipped: “I have deep respect for the role of a free and independent press and for the role you all play.”

She admitted that “there will be moments when we disagree and there will be days when we disagree for extensive parts of the briefing, even perhaps. I believe we have a common goal, which is sharing accurate information with the American people.”

Psakis emphasized: “I come to this podium having served in the White House and at the State Department as the spokesperson there, and I traveled the world on trips to promote democracy where I saw the power of the United States, and of course the power of this podium and the power of truth, and the importance of setting an example of engagement and transparency.”

“If the president were standing with me here today, he would say he works for the American, I work for him, so I also work for the American people,” she said. 

“So his objective and his commitment is to bring transparency and truth back to government, to share the truth even when it is hard to hear, and that is something I hope to deliver on as well.”

NBC News chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander said that “the battle for truth may be as tough right now as the battle against the coronavirus.”

“How do you and President Biden plan to combat disinformation that in many ways led to that assault that we witnessed two weeks ago today on the Capitol?” he asked.

“There are many ways to combat misinformation,” Psaki said. “One of them is accurate information and truth and data, and sharing information even when it is hard to hear.”

“Rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House every single day,” Psakis said.

Fielding questions about coronavirus relief, Psaki said Biden was “no stranger to the process of bill making,” and reiterated the president’s campaign pledge to work across the aisle to pass comprehensive relief legislation.

“We’re at the beginning of the process,” Psaki said. “Rarely does it look exactly like the initial package that is proposed.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.

“Being president is like being a jackass in a hailstorm. There's nothing to do but to stand there and take it.”

—Lyndon B. Johnson

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE is no doubt that Joseph “Joe” Robinette Biden Jr. will become the most powerful man in the world and the oldest president in U.S. history at age 78 on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

He is expected to be sworn in as the 46th president of the most politically and economically robust nation on earth, alongside his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, who will become the first woman and woman of color to serve as U.S. vice president.

He was declared the president-elect of the United States on November 7, 2020 following an initially tight electoral college contest against the angry incumbent President Donald Trump and four days of vote-counting. 

In an election carried out during a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as a nation reckoning over racial injustice, Mr. Biden won over 74 million popular votes—the most in U.S. presidential election history. 

The Electoral College cast a majority of votes for Mr. Biden, formalizing the presidential election in the manner set out in the Constitution on December 14, 2020.

The former senator, who served as vice president under the administration of President Barack Obama, Biden represented Delaware for 36 years in the U.S. Senate before becoming the 47th Vice President of the United States.

Mr. Biden was born November 20, 1942 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first of four siblings. 

 

-o0o-

 

The Biden family moved from Pennsylvania to Claymont, Delaware in 1953. The incoming President graduated from the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School and served on the New Castle County Council. 

Then, he became one of the youngest people ever elected to the United States Senate, at age 29.

Tragedy struck the Biden family just weeks after the election when then Senator-elect Biden's wife, Neilia, and their one-year-old daughter, Naomi, died and his two sons were injured in an auto accident. 

Mr. Biden was sworn into the U.S. Senate at his sons' hospital bedside and began commuting to Washington every day by train, a practice he maintained throughout his career in the Senate.

Mr. Biden married Jill Jacobs in 1977. Jill Biden holds a Doctorate in Education and is a life-long educator and currently teaches at a community college in Northern Virginia. 

The Vice President's son, Beau, was Delaware's Attorney General from 2007-2015 and a Major in the 261st Signal Brigade of the Delaware National Guard. 

He was deployed to Iraq in 2008-2009 and passed away in 2015 after battling brain cancer with the same integrity, courage, and strength he demonstrated every day of his life. 

Mr. Biden’s second son, Hunter, is an attorney who manages a private equity firm in Washington, D.C. 

His daughter Ashley is a social worker and Executive Director of the Delaware Center for Justice. 

Mr. Biden has five grandchildren: Naomi, Finnegan, Roberta Mabel ("Maisy"), Natalie, and Robert Hunter.

As a Senator from Delaware for 36 years, Mr. Biden established himself as a leader in facing some of our nation's most important domestic and international challenges.

 

-o0o-

 

As Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 17 years, then-Senator Biden was widely recognized for his work on criminal justice issues, including the landmark 1994 Crime Act and the Violence Against Women Act. As Chairman or Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 12 years, then-Senator Biden played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. 

Mr. Biden has been at the forefront of issues and legislation related to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, post-Cold War Europe, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia.

As the 47th Vice President of the United States, Mr. Biden continued his leadership on important issues facing the nation and represented America abroad, traveling over 1.2 million miles to more than 50 countries. 

He convened sessions of the President's Cabinet, led interagency efforts, and worked with Congress in his fight to raise the living standards of middle class Americans, reduce gun violence, and address violence against women. 

In the final year of the Administration, Vice President Biden led the Cancer Moonshot, an international effort to end cancer as we know it.

Mr. Biden has continued his legacy of expanding opportunity for all, both in the United States and abroad, with the creation of the Biden Foundation, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania, the Biden Cancer Initiative, and the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware since leaving the White House in January 2017. 

According to the Biden Institute, through these non-profit organizations, “Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden are developing programs designed to advance smart policies, convene experts and world leaders on the issues they care most about, and impact the national debate about how America can continue to lead in the 21st century.”

In addition, the Biden Institute reported that “Vice President Biden formed a political action committee, ‘American Possibilities,’ which will allow him to continue to support Democratic candidates and causes across the country.”

The Biden Institute added: “Finally, in November 2017, President-elec​t Biden released his second book, Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose. The book, a New York Times #1 Bestseller, is a personal story from a father, grandfather, husband, and friend as he confronts the inevitability of devastating personal loss, while trying to balance his duty to his family and his country.”

Mr. Biden has received numerous awards and accolades, including the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award and the Medal of Freedom with Distinction.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

My thoughts are with the immigrants

“Immigration is not about visa numbers or building a fence. It is about reclaiming our roots as a nation of immigrants and a refuge for those who have been cast aside.”

— Mike Quigley

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

I WAS enormously fixated on the Georgia runoff election on January 5 or 24 hours earlier until initial results came out early morning on January 6, when riot broke out at Washington D.C.’s Capitol Hill at around 2 o’clock in the afternoon while the U.S. Congress was in session for the pro forma certification of President-elect Joseph Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ Electoral College win in the November 3, 2020 presidential election.

Early morning around 2 o’clock on January 6, I learned that one of the two Democratic senatorial candidates, Rev. Raphael Warnock, upset incumbent Republican reelectionist Senator Kelly Loeffler. 

I was waiting, in particular, for the result of the contest between another Democratic bet, Jon Ossoff, and Republican reelectionist Senator David Perdue, which came late in the afternoon on January 6 when the Capitol Hill siege, led by unhinged and violent supporters of President Donald Trump, was already escalating.

Between the Georgia runoff election (January 5) and the certification of the Electoral College votes (January 6), the latter, of course, was the bigger and more important news.

 

-o0o-

 

While the two political parties battled for the senate supremacy in the Georgia fisticuffs, the most important “battle” was in the Capitol Hill, where several stubborn Republicans in the House and the Senate had threatened to oppose the certification of Biden’s and Harris’ Electoral College win.

But my focus was still in the Georgia runoff election. 

I knew nothing could stop Congress from certifying the Electoral College which traditionally was only ceremonial despite the saber rattling of two ambitious Republican senators Ted Cruz (Texas) and Joshua Hawley (Missouri) and other Trump die-hard Republican congresspeople. 

To make the long story short, I personally wanted both Warnock and Ossoff to win in Georgia.

My main interest was in Georgia—until the riot erupted in Washington D.C.

 

-o0o-

 

I never hid my preference for the two Democratic challengers as manifested in my previous articles in November and December 2020.

Their victory would translate into domino effects for legislations that will favor the immigrants, especially undocumented Filipinos who aspire to avail of President-elect Biden’s promise of amnesty, among other bills that will help our kababayans and other foreign nationals now wanting to change their immigration status in America through the help of Mr. Biden and the Democrats in the two legislatures. 

Thus I became emotional when I learned the Democrats had swept the George runoff election. 

I am pro-immigrant by heart, and I favor more stimulus assistance for all Americans in dire straits due to COVID-19 pandemic, something that the Republicans continue to detest and had pathetically opposed (like the proposed direct payment stimulus check worth $2,000).  

Before Warnock and Ossoff both clinched the twin victory, the Republicans controlled the U.S. Senate (50-48) with top Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell lording over as majority leader.

The victory of Warnock and Ossoff meant the Democrats will now be the new majority (50-50) as Vice President-elect and incoming presiding officer Harris will cast the deciding vote on disputed legislations. 

 

-o0o-

 

AS of this writing, some world leaders and even prominent politicians who had previously tolerated Mr. Trump’s incredible and unfounded claims of election fraud, have condemned the “terrible act of insurrection” by the mob egged by Mr. Trump to march and storm the Capitol Hill where they created mayhem that resulted in the death of four people.

It was Mr. Trump’s relentless efforts to reverse the results of the 2020 election that took a dangerous turn January 6 afternoon.

The armed and angry mob of his supporters also clashed with police just as Congress convened to validate Mr. Biden’s presidential win.

A woman was fatally shot in the violence that ensued as pro-Trump protestors breached barricades and advanced into the halls of the Capitol building, smashing windows and brawled with police officers in what is widely being considered one of the worst security breaches in US history.

The Capitol Hill in Washington DC was placed under lockdown Wednesday at 6 pm until 6 am after hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the historic building and wreaked havoc in an attempt to stall the certification of the election results.

The raucous group of demonstrators waved ‘Trump 2020’ flags and wearing T-shirts and hats with the president’s signature ‘Keep America Great’ tagline printed.

The rioters entered the second-floor lobby of the building right outside the Senate chamber, the doors of which were being guarded by law enforcement officials.

The mob managed to get past the guards and enter the Senate chamber, where just moments earlier the election results were being certified. 

One of the rioters was reportedly seen climbing up on the dias and yelling, “Trump won that election.”

It was America’s shame and scandal that became the outgoing President’s legacy.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

 

 

   

Bad role models

“A healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant and respectful.”

—Charles W. Pickering

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

FILIPINO politicians in the past have looked up to their American counterparts for guidance and inspiration when it comes to cultivating and strengthening our democratic ideals and society.

We had illustrious leaders like Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel L. Quizon, Carlos P. Romulo, Elpidio Quirino, Claro M. Recto, Raul Manglapus, to name only a few, who either collaborated or learned some important lessons and leadership from famous American leaders like William McKinley, George Dewey, Howard Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Dulles, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, to mention a few.

Until the recent leadership in America when the first black politician, Barack Obama, had been catapulted into the presidency in 2008, American politics was still central to the Philippine politicians’ attraction and imagination.

America has been the Philippines’ No. 1 role model in governance and politics in many aspects.

What is shaping up after the November 3, 2020 U.S. Presidential Election and prior to the inauguration of President-elect Joseph Biden as the 46^th President on January 20, 2021 may frustrate if not turn off a lot of people (not only the politicians) in the Philippines who have been following the turmoil in American politics only because a defeated presidential reelectionist has refused to accept a clear election loss and has been scandalously egging his party mates to tilt the election result in his favor.

 

-o0o-

 

Just when the world is waiting for Mr. Biden’s ascension in the White House, which will be traditionally confirmed by Congress on January 6, several Republican politicians with future presidential ambitions want to use the furor, whipped up by President Donald Trump’s false claim of election fraud, to advertise their talents and make a noise by opposing the certification of Mr. Biden’s election win.

They have become bad role models of American politics.

The stunts and grandstanding of Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, and the threat made by at least 140 Republican congressmen to oppose the certification of the Electoral College of Mr. Biden’s win if a 10-day “emergency audit” of election results in key states is not conducted, is the latest in a series of efforts to overturn the election.

Their insistence continued even as all 10 living former defense secretaries have declared the election is over in a forceful public letter published in the Washington Post on January 3. 

 

-o0o-

 

As reported by CNN’s Paul LeBlanc, while President Trump continued to deny his election loss to Biden, the former Defense secretaries—Dick Cheney, James Mattis, Mark Esper, Leon Panetta, Donald Rumsfeld, William Cohen, Chuck Hagel, Robert Gates, William Perry and Ashton Carter—signed the letter.

Many people here viewed the letter as “a remarkable show of force against Trump's subversion efforts just days before Congress is set to count Electoral College votes.”

The former Defense chiefs wrote: "Our elections have occurred. Recounts and audits have been conducted. Appropriate challenges have been addressed by the courts. Governors have certified the results. And the electoral college has voted. The time for questioning the results has passed; the time for the formal counting of the electoral college votes, as prescribed in the Constitution and statute, has arrived.”

As everyone has noted, Mr. Trump has been falsely claiming since Election Day that a second term “is being stolen”, even as there have been no credible allegations of widespread voting issues as affirmed by dozens of judges, governors, and election officials, the Electoral College, the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the US Supreme Court.

 

-o0o-

 

LeBlanc reported: “Still, a wide swath of congressional Republicans are siding with the President and plan to object to Biden's win during Electoral College counting on Wednesday -- even though their efforts will only delay the inevitable affirmation of Biden's win.”

The former Defense secretaries, who collectively represent decades of tenure in the position, wrote that presidential transitions "are a crucial part of the successful transfer of power."

The group wrote further: “They often occur at times of international uncertainty about U.S. national security policy and posture. They can be a moment when the nation is vulnerable to actions by adversaries seeking to take advantage of the situation."

LeBlanc said “the letter follows Trump's removal of Esper in November as part of a set of sweeping changes atop the Defense Department's civilian leadership structure that included the installation of perceived loyalists to the President.”

The shakeup reportedly put officials inside the Pentagon on edge and fueled a growing sense of alarm among military and civilian officials.

 

-o0o-

 

And while America's top military officer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, told Congress in August that the military won't help settle any election disputes, the group of former Defense secretaries reiterated in their letter that such an effort "would take us into dangerous, unlawful and unconstitutional territory."

"Civilian and military officials who direct or carry out such measures would be accountable, including potentially facing criminal penalties, for the grave consequences of their actions on our republic," the letter stated.

"We call upon them, in the strongest terms, to do as so many generations of Americans have done before them," the letter further stated. 

"This final action is in keeping with the highest traditions and professionalism of the U.S. armed forces, and the history of democratic transition in our great country."

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)